While the limbo of cruise ship workers has been well-publicised, hundreds of thousands of seafarers aboard bulk carriers are facing uncertainty and isolation in far less luxurious conditions.
There are about 1.6 million bulk carrier workers around the world, and concern is growing not only for those stuck at sea, but also those waiting to return to their jobs.
International Transport Workers' Federation spokesman Dean Summers says many workers are in a state of "complete despair".
"They should be at sea a maximum of nine months, and every month there are 150,000 seafarers due to come off their ship," Mr Summers said.
"The following month there's a new 150,000 [due to leave], but the last ones are still there, so we are seeing seafarers going up to 14 months without a break.
"They should be home with their families."
Mr Summers said "hysterical" restrictions meant seafarers were unable to leave their ship for shore leave when they did arrive at a port.
"Here in Australia, there's deathly silence," he said.
"There are some state government initiatives trying to work this through, but there's no leadership from Canberra and nobody that cares about it.
"Our eyes are focused on the figures every night on the news, but we need some corridors for seafarers to come and go from these ships and recognise they're in complete despair."
Serious mental health concerns
The Reverend John Kewa runs the Port Kembla Mission to Seafarers charity at Wollongong on the New South Wales South Coast.
His charity has joined the campaign lobbying governments for help.
"People around the globe are trying to build a movement to get the decision-makers to make arrangements for the sailors to go home and visit their families," he said.
"Their mental wellbeing is something we're seriously concerned about around this time with the coronavirus pandemic."
He said the gradual rise in the number of sailors stuck on ships was having a huge flow-on effect.
"We feel for them caught on board, not only the crew but the families who are missing them.
"It has a big ripple impact that goes out through the entire world."
Beanies, hampers and respect
Recently, the Illawarra community provided hampers for every staff member of the Ruby Princess cruise ship, which was docked at Port Kembla in April.
That generosity has been extended to other seafarers, with a community drive to knit beanies for sailors.
"In winter time out there with high winds and lower temperatures, beanies become very practical," Mr Kewa said.
"It's also about raising the awareness of seafarers and how much we benefit from them.
"It's not just about the beanies, but it sends the message that we depend on you highly and we care about you guys and respect what you do."
